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Volcanic eruption in South Iceland

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Volcanic eruption in South Iceland

20.04.2010
| Oddný Björg Halldórsdóttir

Business and public services are open

Day to day business in Iceland has not been affected apart from the directly affected areas in the south. In other parts of the country, Icelanders’ daily life is proceeding quite normally. Domestic flights are running as usual and flights between Iceland and North America. The Icelandic Tourist Council wishes to forewarn the public of exaggerated news reports on the eruption but encourages travelers to keep abreast of developments.

Air traffic

The ash hurled into the atmosphere by the eruption has however caused serious disruption of air traffic in northern Europe. Icelandic scientists and public authorities, the Meterological Institution and the Icelandic Civil Aviation Administration, remain in close contact with their counterparts in Europe in order to monitor the eruption, the weather conditions and the projected path of the volcanic ash cloud. People are encouraged to monitor the news and contact their travel agents if their flights are canceled.

The Icelandic airlines Icelandair and Iceland Express are flying to Norway, Sweden, Scotland and Spain this morning (April 20st) and more airports could come in later today. US bound operations are likely to continue. Passengers flying to or from Iceland are advised to follow updated travel information on the following web pages:

Travelers are safe and sound

Travelers currently in Iceland are safe and sound, and the appropriate parties are making every effort to make their stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible. All travelers stranded in Reykjavík due to the flight restrictions to Europe have been offered a complimentary Reykjavík Welcome Card which gives access to all the museums and exhibitions in Reykjavík, thermal pools, public transport and more. We would also like to draw attention to those videos with travelers comment on a prolonged stay in Iceland. A substantial number of visitors was able to depart Iceland on 18 and 19 April.

Daily briefings at the press centres

As from to day, Monday April 19th, the Civil Emergency Authorities arrange for daily briefings at 8:00 at the press centres in Reykjavik and Hvolsvollur. In both briefings you will get a general status update, and brief updates by a geophysicist and a meteorologist. The address in Reykjavik is Skogarhlid 14. The address at Hvolsvollur is Dufthaksbraut 10. On their web page you can also get newest press releases...Read more